May 31, 2005

Ratification of EU constitution should continue : Baltic states

*Leaders of the Baltic countries expressed their wishes Monday to move out of the shadow of France' s rejection of the European Union (EU) constitution and push forward the ratification process.

Estonia's Foreign Ministry said the French no should by no means be an obstacle to other countries that are yet to decide on the treaty. The ratification process should move on as planned, it said in a statement.

Latvian Prime Minister Aigars Kalvitis said his government respects the French people's choice. But other nations, including Latvia, should continue their efforts to approve the constitution, he said.

Lithuanian President Valdas Adamkus said the French decision is bad but not disastrous, arguing that the French were not saying no to Europe. He asked Paris to make a decision on the referendum results that is acceptable to all EU members.

Lithuania continues to support the idea of a strong, unified and prosperous EU, he said.